As we leave the colosseum, we all say goodbye and split up. Turns out I'm the only one with Smithing class so I'm on my own for this one.
As I start walking towards the center of the mountain that is the Academy, I get to thinking, if Lucifer not only has the knowledge of events of different realities, then maybe he'd be able to help me get in contact with my family. Even if only to tell them I'm doing fine.
Shit I might end up owing one to the devil...
I'll think on it some more and decide after school ends today.
As I step through the threshold of the hall leading to the Forge Halls, I'm hit with an immense amount of heat. Now that I'm paying attention to my surroundings I see a red tint to the air and see that the hall has what looks to be troughs running along the floor.
Looking up I see statues carved into the walls. Each one distinct in its design and materials.
Walking down the hall I see on my left a statue of a dwarf carrying a large hammer with scorch marks all over them. The dwarf is carved in steel while the hammer seems to be iron.
Further down the hall is an ivory statue of an elf, from the material used and flowing design of her dress and sharp facial features, I'd say high elf.
Right next to her statue is another made of Obsidian and Marble.
It's another female elf but from the looks of it, I'm gonna guess a dark elf. Or drow as they are also called.
Finally next to the doorway of my class is a stone statue that has mana crystals growing from along the edges of the carved armour.
I walk in and see a bunch of dwarves that look to feel comfortable with the heat. Along with some lizardmen, elves, and humans. The elves and humans in the room seem to be drenched in sweat.
Feeling a trickle of sweat on the back of my kneck, I wipe it off and walk in while looking at the forge in the middle of the room.
Why do I always seem to be last to class?
As I look to the front of the forge I see a dwarf, cliche I know, working on what seems to be an iron blade.
Everyone is paying rapt attention to him, seemingly lost in watching him work.
As I step to the side of the crowd so I can see better, i start to look at where he is hitting on the blade, paying attention to where it seems to be hottest, with how much force he swings, and what noise the hammer makes when it hits certain spots on the blade.
As I'm watching, I start to loose myself in the sound of the hammer hitting the metal.
*Bang, Bang, Clang, Tink, Ring, Clang, Bang*
You have been hypnotized by the sight of a Master Smith at work.
After I don't know how long, the dwarf finally quenches the blade in a mixture of oil and water and sets down his hammer.
You snap out of your stupor.
Dwarf teacher:"Alright kkiddosits time to start introductions. I'm the Master Smith Hephaestus. I know, Greek mythology doesn't exactly say I'm a dwarf, but get your preconceptions out of your head. I'm here to teach you how to forge the tools necessary for survival in the world and how to make a living."
Still reeling from the fact I so easily fell under hypnotization of watching him smith I barely register that he is "The" Hephaestus. The very man who made the labyrinth if I'm remembering correctly. Oh and is literally the God of Smithing.
Hephaestus:"So before I even let you scrubs use a hammer, I'm gonna train you in withstanding the heat of the forge. Now I want all of the wait, 1- 2- 3, 42 of you to follow me in an orderly line."
With me standing closest to the doorway, people start lining up behind me and I see the God of the Forge come towards me.
We leave the class room and start walking down the hall towards the center of the Forge Halls. The heat starts rising and we come across a large door with a hammer and anvil on the front of it.
Hephaestus opens it an we all are hit with a major blast of heat. Behind the door was a mass of forges and pools of molten metal. In the center of the massive room, I spot a forge easily big enough for someone 20 feet tall. All around the Forge is a massive moat of lava.
You have gained 1% fire resistance.
Hephaestus:"I want all of you for the next week of smithing class to each come in here and get as close to the lava around my forge without dying of heat stroke or catching fire."
As he says this one of the elfs next to me has his hair catch fire.
Some of the people nearby panic while I use a force push to dump him into one of the nearby water troughs.
He gets out with dripping clothes and some missing patches of hair.
I try not to laugh at his misfortune but it's kinda funny how the moment Hephaestus mentions catching fire, the guy next to me does.
The elf walks out with a look of pain and indignation on his face while some of the girls in the class start to laugh.
Dorian:"And that ladies and gentlemen is why you don't wear hair spray when you go to a hot place.*chuckling*"
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Hephaestus:"Agreed. Anyway, you all should get to building your resistance to the heat for the next half hour of class."
From there we all find places to sit or stand and start trying to acclimate to the heat. I go to one of the nearby lit forges and sit down to meditate for the next half hour, while focusing on strengthening myself with mana and ki while absorbing to heat around my.
*A half hour later*
Through your efforts, you have gained 10 ki and 5% fire resistance.
I then walk out of the forge halls happy with my gains and head towards the administration building to get my room key. On the way I meet everyone and mention my wanting to talk to Lucifer.
Lilith:"Alright well meet you in the mess hall for dinner."
Antonio:"You better hurry too dude, all the good food will be gone if you take too long.
Saying my goodbyes, I head towards the elevator and step inside, pressing the button for the top floor.
Stepping out I see Daphne and say hi.
Dorian:"Hi miss Daphne, is Lucifer in?"
Daphne:"He is but he's talking to the teacher you turned into fried quadriplegic and the parents of the princess you nearly killed. You might not wanna go in if you don't wanna get chewed out by the parents."
Dorian:"They can try but I'll just point out that not only was it her fault for what happened, but the teachers as well. I'll just catch them in a logic loop that they'll be unable to argue their way out of."
Daphne:"Alright, don't say I didn't warn you." She says with a smirk on her face.
I walk in and at the sound of the door opening, everyone turns to look at me, excluding the now quadriplegic teacher of course.
Father of the Princess:"You have a lot to answer for boy."
Dorian:"Alright sure. Here's what happened. I met your daught in beginners magitech and she was acting entitled and trying to make me pay homage and respect towards her. I told her I only respect those who have earned it and she challenged me to a duel to 'Put me in my place'. When we next saw each other in magecraft class, we had the duel. The couch potato over there tried rigging the fight in her favor by giving her a mana shield and cast speed buff. She shot lightning at me, and I redirected it towards her and she 'technically' shocked herself to near death with lightning. Then Mr. Le- bitch- imus attacked me and in retaliation I paralyzed him with electricity. I did so by frying all the nerves that control motor function. Then I told someone to go get some medics, and now we're here in this situation, having this conversation." I say while getting a look at the king and queen of a small kingdom. The king a blond gruff man with a five'oclock shadow beard and a scar running along the side of his head.
His wife the queen is a blonde milf with an hourglass shaped body and a stern look on her face.
Lucifer:"Now that's the first time I've heard about the mana shield and buff. What do you have to say Legitimus?"
CouchPotato:"THE BOY LIES AND SLANDERS MY NAME! I DEMAND RECOMPENSE!"
Dorian:"We can hear you dumbass, no need to shout. You do know that the hysteria and obvious hate in your voice. Also, according to the rules of the academy, i dont owe you shit. You started a fight and got your ass whooped because of it. So just sit still and shut up. Oh wait, where would you go?" I say with disdain and sarcasm lacing my voice.
Lucifer:"You have no right to demand anything from me in my own house puny man, shut up before I put you as a volunteer for the next interrogation methods class."
At that the little bitch boy shuts up and pales.
King:"While it may so that this was instigated by my daughter, you are of equal part to blame."
Dorian:"Oh yes it's totally my fault that you had spoiled your daughter and turned her into a self- entitled brat. You should have taught her that there is always someone stronger and they might not care who she is.ç
Queen:"HOW DARE YOU!?!"
Dorian:"How dare I what huh? Huh? Point out that it was through her own actions that she is now injured? Point out that it is through your actions that she chose to fight the wrong person? I gave her ample warning before. So if anything. How. Dare. You."
I know I sound like a hypocrite right now. The same thing could very possibly happen to me from my actions. But at the moment, I am in control, so the point is moot.
King:*sighs*"Let it go honey, we can argue till we're blue in the face but he will still be right. We should focus our effort on getting our daughter healed."
Wow.... he was surprisingly reasonable.
Queen:"Its just that she's my baby*sob*"Shit she's crying.
King:"We are sorry to have taken your time lord Lucifer, we will be going to visit our daughter in your infirmary."
Lucifer:"I am sorry we have met under these circumstances Your Majesty. Don't worry I got some of my best healers helping her. I hope next time is on a more pleasant occasion."
With that the king and queen both turn to leave. As they get near the door I speak up.
Dorian:"If it's any consolation Your Majesties, when I got hit with your daughter's lightning spell, it really, really hurt. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped for a good two seconds."I say with as much sincerity I could muster.
With that they leave and Lucifer turns to me.
Lucifer:"Ya really fucked my day up ya know?"
I point to the vegetable on the couch and look Lucifer in the eye.
Dorian:"Tell that to him."
Lucifer:"Oh I forgot he was here. You're fired Legitimus, you'll get severance tomorrow. NURSE!" He yells nurse and a female demon comes in with a skimpy nurse outfit and throws the cripple over her shoulder and walks out.
Lucifer:"Your world has amazing culture, especially when it comes to the over- sexualization of the body."
Dorian:"I know, I lived there."
Lucifer:"So what brings you here? I know it wasn't to put a cripple, king, and queen in their place."
Dorian:"I need a favor."
Lucifer:"Already? After you caused so much trouble today?" He says with a smile.
Dorian:"Please I know you dont give a fuck about what just happened."
Lucifer:"Yeah you're right. What do you need?"
Dorian:"I want to talk to my family. I know you have the ability to contact others across dimensions."
Lucifer:"Sure I can do that. It'll take some time to prepare though, about three days."
Dorian:"What's the price?"
Lucifer:"Nothing, it's a simple request, plus you already work for me with making contracts for me."
I stare at him intently, trying to discern if he's lying.
Lucifer:"Dude I'm the Devil, you wouldn't be able to tell if I'm lying." Fuck.
Dorian:"Fine. Anyway thanks for doing this."
Lucifer:"Glad to be of service." He says with an eccentric and flourishing bow.
I'm already regretting this.